Preclinical Programme Leader, Cardiovascular & Metabolic Diseases

Planet Pharma; Singapore; On-site; SGD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Planet Pharma in Singapore seeks a seasoned Preclinical Program Leader to drive discovery and preclinical development across novel modalities. You will lead programs from target validation to candidate selection, building internal capabilities and managing external partners.

You will mentor scientists, ensure on-time delivery within budget, and uphold high scientific standards while shaping the translational strategy and portfolio decisions for a growing pipeline.

Qualifications

• PhD in Molecular Biology, Pharmacology, Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences, or a related discipline.
• Significant industry experience leading drug discovery and preclinical research programs.
• Strong hands-on expertise in cell-based screening, in vivo pharmacology, and translational research.

Responsibilities

• Own the scientific and operational strategy for one or more discovery-stage therapeutic programs.
• Lead programs from target validation through candidate selection and preclinical advancement.
• Develop and implement integrated in vitro and in vivo research strategies.
• Drive data-based go/no-go decisions through interpretation of pharmacology, biomarker, efficacy, and translational datasets.
• Ensure scientific rigor, reproducibility, documentation quality, and transparency across internal and externally conducted studies.
• Contribute hands-on laboratory expertise to establish new capabilities, workflows, and platforms.

Skills

Scientific leadership

Program management

Cross-functional collaboration

Data-driven decision making

Scientific communication

Education

PhD in Molecular Biology or related field

Tools

Cell-based screening platforms

In vivo pharmacology

Biomarker assays

Pharmacokinetics & pharmacodynamics

Job description

Position Overview

We are seeking a scientific Preclinical Program Leader to drive discovery and preclinical development programs focused on novel therapeutic modalities for chronic and complex diseases. This individual will lead programs from target validation through candidate selection and preparation for advanced preclinical development activities.

The role combines scientific leadership, hands-on research expertise, program management, and cross-functional collaboration. The successful candidate will establish and oversee discovery and translational workflows, build internal capabilities, manage external research partners, and contribute to the advancement of a growing therapeutic pipeline.

As programs mature, the individual will play an important role in building and mentoring scientific teams while ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to a high scientific standard.

Key Responsibilities

Program Leadership

• Own the scientific and operational strategy for one or more discovery-stage therapeutic programs.
• Lead programs from target validation through candidate selection and preclinical advancement.
• Develop and implement integrated in vitro and in vivo research strategies.
• Drive data-based go/no-go decisions through interpretation of pharmacology, biomarker, efficacy, and translational datasets.
• Ensure scientific rigor, reproducibility, documentation quality, and transparency across internal and externally conducted studies.
• Contribute hands-on laboratory expertise where required to establish new capabilities, workflows, and platforms.

Discovery & Translational Research

• Design, execute, and optimize discovery screening cascades and translational research workflows.
• Develop mechanistic and functional assays to evaluate target modulation and biological activity.
• Lead hit identification, prioritization, lead optimization, and candidate selection activities.
• Establish robust assay platforms suitable for both internal execution and external deployment.
• Generate high-quality datasets supporting candidate advancement and portfolio decisions.

Pharmacology & Preclinical Development

• Design, oversee, and interpret pharmacology, pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, biodistribution, and efficacy studies.
• Establish exposure-response and biomarker-response relationships to inform decision making.
• Select and manage relevant disease models to support translational research objectives.
• Generate integrated datasets linking mechanism of action, target engagement, biomarker activity, and efficacy outcomes.
• Support progression of programs toward IND-enabling development.

Disease Area Expertise

• Apply deep understanding of disease biology to guide:
  • Target identification and validation
  • Biomarker strategy
  • Assay development
  • Translational model selection
  • Candidate selection decisions
• Contribute scientific insight into disease mechanisms, pathway biology, and translational opportunities.
• Utilize systems-level understanding of disease processes to support portfolio development and program prioritization.

Scientific Governance & Team Development

• Establish and maintain SOPs, laboratory workflows, and operational standards.
• Ensure compliance with applicable animal ethics, research governance, and quality requirements.
• Build, mentor, and develop junior scientists and research staff.
• Serve as the primary scientific interface with external research organizations and collaborators.
• Collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams including biology, pharmacology, chemistry, computational sciences, pathology, biomarker, and analytical groups.
• Partner with leadership to align scientific execution with broader organizational and portfolio objectives.

Qualifications & Experience

• PhD in Molecular Biology, Pharmacology, Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences, or a related discipline.
• Significant industry experience leading drug discovery and preclinical research programs.
• Strong hands-on expertise in:
  • Cell-based screening platforms
  • Mechanistic biology assays
  • In vivo pharmacology and translational research
  • Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics
  • Biomarker development and interpretation
• Demonstrated success progressing programs from target validation through hit identification, lead optimization, and candidate selection.
• Experience establishing new scientific platforms, capabilities, or research functions.
• Proven ability to oversee and manage external research organizations and collaborative partnerships.
• Strong program and project management capabilities.
• Excellent scientific communication and presentation skills.
• Track record of scientific rigor, strategic thinking, and data-driven decision making.